In the News

TUSCALOOSA, AL (WBRC) -

Wednesday, April 25 is Skip a Meal Day in the Tuscaloosa area community. The Leadership Tuscaloosa organization has designated the day as a way to raise money and awareness for Secret Meals for Hungry Children.
Secret Meals packs food for children and works with teachers to discreetly place the food into children's backpacks, so they do not go hungry while they are not in school.
Leadership Tuscaloosa, a group of professionals organized by the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, is asking people to donate the money they would have spent on their meal to Secret Meals.
Jennifer Naves, a member of the Leadership Tuscaloosa class, says the mission of Secret Meals became very personal to her when she learned meals were going to her daughter's school.
"I just thought to myself, 'What if some of her classmates are affected by this?'" Naves said.
"I want to do everything that I can to help and bring light to the situation and let others know, because I've lived all my life in Tuscaloosa and had no idea Secret Meals existed and was not aware of this problem. And now that I am aware, I want to do everything I can to let others know."

Naves said it costs Secret Meals $140 to provide meals to a child for an school entire year. She says each of the 42 members of the Leadership Tuscaloosa class has committed to providing that amount to Secret Meals.

Whether it is the cost of one meal on Skip a Meal Day, enough to feed a child for a year, or another amount, Leadership Tuscaloosa encourages community members to donate. Donations are accepted through secretmeals.org.
When making an online donation, Leadership Tuscaloosa asks donors to select "West Alabama" and to note "Leadership Tuscaloosa" in the special instructions section, so the group can track their fundraising.

Cash and checks made payable to "Secret Meals" are also accepted. Mail donations to Jennifer Naves at 630 University Boulevard, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401.

Secret Meals was started in 2008 in Tuscaloosa and currently provides meals for about 1,500 students in the Tuscaloosa City and County Schools. The organization works with school officials to identify students who need the meals.
Copyright 2018 WBRC. All rights reserved.

By Terri Brewer, Reporter

http://www.wbrc.com/story/38036377/april-25-is-skip-a-meal-day-in-the-tuscaloosa-area